The Rundown: Monster Reborn Tour 6/6

The great thing about rock music is that there are so many different forms of it.

This Friday, June 6th, The Main Street Cafe will be hosting an eclectic evening of rock. We'll be showcasing everything from indie pop-rock and rockabilly punk to metal and alt rock.

Rhode Island hard rock quintet Absence of Despair is embarking on their Monster: Reborn Tour. They will be receiving local support from Jet Set Vapour Trails, Haggard Wülf, Barracuda and The Laser Beams.

The doors will open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m.

Admission is $5.

 

Absence of Despair

Photo by Petey Photography

Who are they: Absence of Despair brings forth metal-infused alt-rock music from Providence, Rhode Island. Their songs include dueling guitar riffs, explosive solos, and vocals that range from edgy screams to cutting cleans. The five piece has everything you would want in a hard rock band, and then throw in some added grit.

Why you should care: This band is kicking off their cross-country, 30-date tour here in Clarksburg West Virginia. 10 days after this show they're performing in Hollywood. If that isn't impressive then give their music a listen. It's aggressive and heavy and melodic. Whether you're swayed by the expansive tour or dynamic sound, make sure that Clarksburg gives these guys a hell of a tour kickoff!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE8sAJ3W76M[/embed]

Jet Set Vapour Trails

From left to right: Orville Weale, Jeff Goodwin and Thomas Moore

 Who are they: Jet Set Vapour Trails is a three-piece rock band full of veteran musicians. From Morgantown, West Virginia, they came together with years of experience making music already under their belts. This is apparent in the brooding alt-rock they create. Sounding like powerful rock colliding with 90′s grunge-punk, Jet Set Vapour Trails produces menacingly beautiful music.

Why you should care: In this area you can find loud punk and aggressive metal, there’s melodious pop rock and singer-songwriters, but there isn’t anyone quite like Jet Set Vapour Trails. There are few local alt-rock acts, and even fewer with the chemistry and experience present in Jet Set Vapour Trails.

Listen:

[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=676099455 size=large bgcol=333333 linkcol=ffffff tracklist=false artwork=small]

 

Haggard Wülf

From left to right: Leeroy Jenkins and Frank Gunner

Who are they: Haggard Wülf is a two-piece rock band from Morgantown, West Virginia composed of Leeroy Jenkins and Frank Gunner. Their sound is a wonderful conglomeration of blues, rockabilly and folk rock. Their songs are littered with sound clips and soulfully haggard vocals.

Why you should care: Haggard Wülf will have you feeling the blues in some way shape or form. Whether it is a slow, marching tune full of woe, or an upbeat rockabilly groove with punk-tinged vocals, Haggard Wülf spans the genre of bluesy rock, and then some. Seldom will a two-piece fill the air with as much resonance and grooving sound as Haggard Wülf.

Listen: [bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=2622954140 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small track=381263686]

Barracuda

From left to right: Jack Friend, Tyler Washburn, Mike "Spider" Chan, Alex Baker and Tim Taylor

Who are they: Barracuda knows how to play punk music: loud and fast. Formed in Morgantown, WV., Barracuda contains members formerly of local punk act Dangerkat. Barracuda's music is impassioned punk with a 50's rock flair thrown in. Lively stage presence and racing guitar riffs are components of any and all of their performances.

Why you should care: With Barracuda, it all comes down to having a good time. It's not with every band that you can run around, mosh, jump or frantically scream. Between the driving punk vibe and rocking guitar licks, it's hard not to have fun while listening to Barracuda. You should care because you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go crazy during their set.

Listen: 

Head to Barracuda's ReverbNation page and check out their tunes!

The Laser Beams

From left to right: Cat Schrodinger, Pepper Fandango and Leo Tuxedo

Who are they: What started out as a two-person backing band for the Wayward Girls School of Burlesque evolved into a trio of musicians generating playful pop rock tunes that the band has dubbed as "glam garage". Founders Pepper Fandango and Cat Schrodinger began the project in 2013, and with the addition of Leo Tuxedo they have been hitting the road playing shows.

Why you should care: The Laser Beams' songs are cleverly written and have an irresistible charm about them. Song themes range from going skinny dipping while camping ("The Camping Song") to being sexually attracted to a bully ("Everybody Knows"). Their lively style is sure to have you tapping your feet and maybe even doing a jig.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KdZs6cFxa_g[/embed]

All photos courtesy of the bands’ respective Facebook pages.